High braking, cornering and turning forces create wide variations in both the levels and rates of aggregate polishing. At highly stressed sites substantially reduced skid resistance may occur as early as one year into the life of a wearing course, indeed, considerable proportions of a route will probably exhibit sub-standard skid resistance well before expiry of its design life. However, aggregate polishing alone should not justify replacement when proven alternatives exist.

â€¢ REDUCES WET-SKID ACCIDENTS

KLARUWTEX 190 controlled retexturing will substantially reduce the risk of wet-skid accidents at bends and in braking zones; at junctions, roundabouts, slip roads, traffic lights, pedestrian crossings, road tunnels and at the lead-in to contra-flow traffic management systems, along with airport runways.

The KLARUWTEX 190 retexturing process restores both the micro-texture and macro-texture (TRL Report 296 refers) and the skid resistance of a carriageway surface is improved to the best value obtainable form the road stone being treated. Studies by TRL, on behalf of the Pavement Engineering group of the Highways Agency have shown useful and durable benefits for three summers after treatment. "Mechanical retexturing of roads" TRL Reports 298 and 299 refer: "a study of processes and early performance life" (298) and "an experiment to assess durability" (299).

â€¢ PAVEMENT MANAGEMENT

The KLARUWTEX 190 (K190) System is ideal for maintaining the necessary levels of skid resistance and for improving texture depth by repeatable (cyclical) re-treatment at high stress and problem areas. Significant extension of surface life provides real savings on a whole life cost basis when compared with other options, particularly in the Route Strategy/Route Action Plan scenario.

â€¢ ECONOMIC AND COST-EFFECTIVE

Evaluation of the maintenance options available for improving skid resistance, on a life cycle cost basis, show that KLARUWTEX 190 retexturing is economic, cost-effective and competitive.

Only the mechanical KLARUWTEX 190 system offers the benefits of re-treatment. Rehabilitation, rather than replacement, makes sound economic sense. First year accident savings returns of up to 4000% have been realised, along with considerable reductions in street furniture and damage only accidents.

â€¢ VERSATILE: ANY AREA - ANY SEASON - ANY WEATHER

The KLARUWTEX 190 system enables skid resistance to be restored by day or night, in any weather conditions. 4-wheel drive and twin axle steering enables K190 machines to manoeuvre in restricted areas, turn in their own length and work close to obstructions.

â€¢ FAST: MINIMAL TRAFFIC DISRUPTION

The K 190 treats up to 800 sm per machine hour, minimising traffic disruption and reducing traffic management costs. A mechanical process and with no materials being laid, there are no cooling, curing or weather delays. The carriageway or runway can be trafficked immediately after completion of the treatment. The flexibility and efficiency of the operation ensures that works can be programmed with confidence within tight operational windows and in any season, to reduce delays and disruption.

Operatives are not required within the 'Works Area' and the operation is classed as 'Moving Works' within Chapter 8 and by the Health & Safety Executive. Positive control of traffic allows 'sideways clearance' to be at a minimum and will avoid the need for road closures in most instances.

â€¢ TOTAL CONTROL: MOST SURFACES CAN BE TREATED AND RE-TREATED

KLARUWTEX 190 retexturing is precisely controlled and is effective on most wearing courses, including SMA, thin overlays and surface dressings, PFC and concrete. Eighty four independent computer controlled bush hammer heads treat the surface to produce the required finish.

Impact pressure and forward speed is matched to each particular surface to optimise the retexturing effect and minimise the amount of material removed. Even where wheel track rutting has occurred, the profile of the surface is accurately followed to achieve a consistent finish over the whole of the area under treatment.

â€¢ RECYCLING

High PSV and high cost premium hardstone aggregates are in effect re-used, thereby extending their useful life and preserving scarce natural resources and postponing the inevitable application of new materials. The arisings created during treatment can be re-used.